August Issue 2016 by JHS BlackandWhite

black& white the

August 2016

Local politics key to a bright future pg. 6

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index

August 2016 pg. 2

Cover: Senator Brad Zaun introduces Donald Trump at a rally in December. Photo by Kathryn Ikeda

meet the August staff

Student spotlight

Head editor-in-chief Kathryn Ikeda

Online editor-in-chief Bryce Schulte

Print editor-in-chief

Sam Farrell

Photo editor

Jayshaun Foster Tennessee Applegate

Kitarrah Mangra-Dutcher

Design editor Will Reiher

Staff writers

Riley Love

Molly Hauser Katelyn Kempkes Mason Lillegraven Kennedy Stone Twitter: follow @jhsnewspaper Visit our site: www.jhsblackandwhite.com e-mail us: jhsblackandwhite@gmail.com Instagram: @jhsblackandwhite

b&w philosophy The Black & White is published solely by the Johnston Senior High School newspaper staff. Its goal is to inform, enlighten and entertain Johnston students. It is an open forum. In accordance with Iowa law and board policy, students assign and edit material and make all decisions of content. The paper is published nine times per school year. The paper will not publish material that is libelous, obscene or an invasion of privacy. The law does not require parental permission to use student quotes. Ethically, we believe students can speak for themselves. Staff editorials represent the opinion of a majority of the editorial board. Editorial and opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the advisor, school officials or the district. Letters to the editor must be signed. Like all material, letters may not be libelous, obscene or an invasion of privacy. The Black & White strives to report accurate and timely information. If you believe that an error has been published, please contact the editors at jhsblackandwhite@gmail.com. The Black & White is a member of CSPA, NSPA, Quill & Scroll and IHSPA. Recent issues of the paper earned these honors: Columbia Scholastic Press Association Silver Crown Award, National Scholastic Press Association First Class rating, Quill & Scroll Gallup Award, IHSPA state placings and sixth in the National Best of Show.

Jesse Balmer

Amy Nguyen Sarah Nelson

All photos and artwork have been published with the cooperation and permission of their respective owners. Interested in writing a Letter to the Editor? E-mail us at jhsblackandwhite@gmail.com or talk to us in person in room 413.

feature

August 2016

p.3

Football camps find success Two players recall their experiences at training camps over the summer This past summer, senior

Jeran

Proctor

was invited to participate at a football camp in Chicago hosted by Nike. “It was like the Provided | Jeran Proctor

best

players

the

Midwest,” Proctor said. “There was, I want to

say eight to ten different ones across the country that people went to, and if you did good enough at that you went to the one in Oregon at the Nike Headquarters.” Coaches chose whether a player got to continue onto the camp in Oregon. Though Proctor was not able to go to the camp in Oregon it was still a beneficial experience for him. “You play the same schools every school year mostly, so it was just nice [playing against] different people,” Proctor said. “That’s my favorite part.” Even though football camps help prepare players for the season there is a downside.

“It’s

kind

brutal,

they’re

long, but they’re worth it,” Proctor said. Going to a football camp hosted by a school helps students make connections with the coaches from that college or university. “It’s just a different way to get to see you besides your Hudl highlight,” Proctor said. Hudl is a website that showcases players’

statistics

and

game

highlights.

words & layout | Kitarrah Mangra-Dutcher

Throughout the summer members of the Senior Grant Gos-

football team participate in football camps, both individually and as a team. Camps al-

sling

low for athletes to prepare for upcoming sea-

three football camps

sons. These camps are usually around four

this

to six hours long and only last for one day.

at the University of

They allow players to prepare for up-

Iowa, one at the Uni-

coming

seasons

help

talented

at-

tendees be scouted by major programs for

their

careers

after

high

versity Provided | Grant Gossling

summer,

camps

are

in one

Northern

Iowa and one at Drake University.

school.

Camps are all similar, but some have

participated

usually

“These

coached

unique aspects to them. “Some camps may

the school’s actual coaching staff, plus a few

be very position specific and they only work

players or former players,” Gossling said.

on drills that pertain to that position,” assis-

Camp attendees are then split up by

tant football coach Tony Kruse said. “We have

the coaches. “They break us into posi-

had several players attend offensive lineman

tions and we do the same drills that the

camps or quarterback camps where they work

collegiate

players

do,”

Gossling

said.

on the fundamentals of that specific position.”

These camps help attendees by allow-

Athletes make an effort to improve their

ing them to experience what a school’s

skills on the field by participating in activi-

program is like. “They give you a good

ties such as power ball tosses, dashes, drills

feel for the program, so I can tell if I’m a

and

good fit for the program,” Gossling said.

other pro-agility activities.

“[They]

can be a great way for athletes to improve

Another positive result is that the play-

their skill and knowledge of the game,”

er returns with new skills. “I can also

Kruse said. “Any time a player can improve

share the skills with my teammates, so

his game, it will make the team stronger.”

it benefits the team as a whole,” he said.

The football team attends the Central

Though camps are beneficial to play-

Football Team Camp at Central College in

ers by allowing them to learn new and ad-

Pella. This camp focuses on helping play-

vanced techniques that they can then ap-

ers develop skills as well as focusing on de-

ply during games, they can be lacking in

veloping as a team. “The main focus of the

some areas. “They don’t usually involve

camp is implementing our offensive and

a lot of blocking drills, which is a very im-

defensive schemes in order to get a head

portant aspect of football,” Gossling said.

start to the upcoming season,” Kruse said.

Jeran Proctor vitals Senior, Varsity Football Position: Cornerback Height: 5’10 40 Yrd Dash: 4.52 Vertical: 34” provided by Hudl

Local football camps Drake Universtiy Head coach: Rick Fox Grandview University Head coach: Mike Woodley University of Northern Iowa Head Coach: Mark Farley

Grant Gossling vitals Senior, Varsity Football Position: Running Back Height: 6’0 Bench press: 270 lbs Squat: 540 lbs provided by Hudl

August 2016

softball

p.4&5

1. Junior Taylor Canny gives sophomore Sophie Maras a high five before the championship game July 22. The girls lost in last year’s championship to the Waukee Warriors 6-4. Photo by Kathryn Ikeda

Softball triumphs, takes 5-A title

2. Head Coach Todd Merical watches as a player takes her turn at bat. Merical was named 5-A Coach of the Year by the Iowa Girls’ High School Athletic Union and has won over 700 games in his coaching career. Photo by Kathryn Ikeda

4. Junior Emma Ford hugs senior Brooke Wilmes after clenching the 5-A State Champions title. The team defeated the Pleasant Valley Spartans 3-2. Photo by Kathryn Ikeda 5. Securing an out, graduated senior Brooke Sandstoe beats the Spartan batter to first base. Sandstoe was later named to the 5-A All State first team. Photo by Kathryn Ikeda Find more photos at jhsblackandwhite.com

team to come after us because they wanted a piece of us.

teammates outside of the softball field and they treat each oth-

team was at bat down 2-1 against the Pleasant Valley Spartans.

After we realized that, there was no one that could stop us.”

er well regardless of their grade level or status on the team,

The bases were loaded when senior Brooke Wilmes

Class 5-A is recognized as being the hardest in the state,

then you know that you have a special group,” Merical said.

walked, tying the game 2-2 and bringing another run home.

especially in central Iowa. As the team had been in the state

Some girls also have certain superstitions or rituals before

Graduated senior Brooke Sandstoe came up to bat with

finals the past three years, they had to push through the

each game. For example, Wilmes always drinks an orange

the bases still loaded but only one out left. She swung

mentality that it was easy to get there. “Complacency and

Gatorade. Another tradition is having a theme for each year.

and hit the ball. There was a moment of silence as spec-

the competitive balance throughout the state were the big-

This year’s theme was about leaving a legacy. “We wanted

tators watched to see if it would be caught in the air.

gest hurdles,” Merical said. “The players had reached the

everyone to remember who we were,” Wilmes said. “And all the

“

hard work we put in as a team to accomplish the goal we wanted.”

When dium

landed

erupted.

safely

Sandstoe’s

the

ground,

walk-off

the

single

sta-

brought

the score to 3-2 and ultimately a championship win. Just moments after the hit, there was a stream of players sprinting from the dugout, forming a huddle in the middle of the field. There were tears and screaming as the they collapsed to the ground. “So many emotions were going through

Chosen for 5-A All State Teams: First team: Brooke Sandstoe, graduated Haylee Towers, graduated Brooke Wilmes, senior Todd Merical, Coach of the Year

Second team:

Mercedes Worsfold, graduated

words & layout | Kathryn Ikeda

At the bottom of the seventh inning, the Dragon softball

my body that I couldn’t catch my breath,” Wilmes said. “Tears piness

joy were flooded

coming through

out

and

just

pure

whole

hapbody.”

It was their fourth consecutive appearance in the finals, but last year’s loss to Waukee 6-4 was still fresh in their minds.

With the seniors now gone, the team has lost many valu-

I have mentioned it many times, but I truly mean this when I say it. I had the fortune to work with 21 hard working girls, great assistant coaches and very supportive parents. A coach can’t ask for more than that. -Todd Merical

“The Waukee game from the year before stung for about 365 days,” head coach Todd Merical said. “It motivated the players

“

3. Just moments after winning, the team rushes together in a huddle. The girls’ varsity softball team won their third state title since 2009. This was their fourth consecutive trip to the state finals. Photo by Kathryn Ikeda

and it motivated the coaches. Even the thought of that game

state finals the previous three years and they expected to

served as a great motivator for the players throughout the year.”

be there again.

The journey to the State Championship was not easy.

It’s not that easy, it is very difficult and it

able players. “We lose a very good senior class that had great leadership but I like the players and the potential that we have coming back along with the younger players,” Merical said. “Every year the baton is passed down to the returners and they will have to create their own legacy. I have faith that the group coming back will take advantage of this great opportunity and be ready to compete at a high level next summer.” Wilmes, who will return to the team next season before heading off to the University of Missouri, hopes to continue the streak of hard work and success. “(There will be) a lot of rebuilding,” she said. “But with the talent and depth of this team coming up we have a very good chance of making it back to state and winning the whole thing again.” After this years’ achievement, Wilmes will not stay com-

The players have a very strong work

placent. “(I want to) improve my game to be the complete

They hit a minor rough patch in the middle of their sea-

ethic and drive that enabled them to overcome a lot of that.”

player,” she said. “I always have something to work on.”

son but powered through to end with just four losses.

For this team, playing varsity softball was not just about

Before they have to defend their title next season, the players

doesn’t just happen.

The team had trouble with their mentality going into

the competition. After they made state, the team all slept

and coaches will cherish their big win. “It is hard to explain the

games. “We can’t just show up to a game and expect to win,”

on the field and after winning the Class 5-A title they had a

feeling that you get when you are able to watch your players cele-

Wilmes said. “We have to be ready at all moments for any

sleepover. “When players want to spend extra time with their

brate success,” Merical said. “It doesn’t get much better than that.”

August 2016

editorial

p.6

Local politics key to a bright future Students can still make their voices heard with local political activism Imagine this: a student is accepted to the

cided, our generation is at a disadvantage as we

school of their dreams. Their bags were all but

cannot personally go out and elect the candidates

packed when the news came. The provided fi-

that can help us with the future we want to see.

nancial aid by the school would not be enough.

June 23, the United Kingdom voted to leave

The student would have to take out significant

the European Union. Their youth exploded with

loans and, thanks to the current legislature and

anger, claiming that the older citizens had cho-

interest rates, be in debt well into their fifties.

sen a future the young people did not want.

If that does not spark any rage, try this one out:

It is frustrating to see older generations

a student who has taken firearm safety classes and

choose a future they will not have to see but

has been hunting since their childhood goes to a

the idea that youth are powerless is not only

gun show to buy their very first gun. When they

wrong but potentially harmful to our futures.

arrive, they are told they are too young or have not passed the extensive necessary background checks.

We our

have voices

personal

heard

vehicle

and

unfortunately

portant issues such as these will be decided by

on the sidelines will not garner true change.

our elected officials during this upcoming term.

We have to raise our hands higher, speak

Things like student loans, gun restrictions or lack

up a little louder and truly make our presence

thereof, transgender bathroom rights and the

known. Many campaigns are actively looking

environment are all hot topics of this election.

for volunteers or even have paid positions for

With such a riveting presidential race con-

teenagers. By spending time knocking on doors

incred-

or making phone calls, we can make our voic-

ibly important local races have been forgotten.

es heard by encouraging others to use theirs.

This

election

all

media

cycle

will

coverage, decide

legisla-

Not only can high school age students spend

tion on some of the most historic and impor-

their time canvassing or interning with a cam-

tant issues on both national and state levels.

paign but raising awareness is just as important.

The people who will be writing and voting on

Talking

friends

and

family

and

hav-

this legislation - people who are not the presi-

ing educated debates does wonders to help in-

dent - are also being elected this November.

dividuals grow in their opinions. Watch Fox

It is more important than ever to pay due at-

News or CNN occasionally despite how aw-

tention to races at the Iowa House of Represen-

ful they might be. Start or join a proactive club.

tatives, Iowa Senate, U.S. House and U.S. Senate. Many of us will be too young to vote but there is no age limit to volunteer. Especially with issues like student loans and student debt being de-

Iowa House Jake Highfill Defend the Second Amendment Decrease the size of government

Maridith Morris Increase veterans’ access to health care Reasonable gun safety laws

There

are

only

weeks

until

Elec-

tion Day.

There is no time better than

the

present

make

our

voices

Teen Age Republicans (TARS) TARS is a national, youth-based organization challenging, training and assisting teens to become active in their local, state and national political season. Across the nation, TARS clubs sway elections, gain first-hand knowledge of the political process, develop leadership skills and perform community service acts.

must work a little harder to do so. Sitting

almost

Conservative:

make

No matter what a person’s political views, im-

suming

Organizations for youth

heard.

Not just because we can, but because we have to.

Visit: teenagerepublicans.org

Progressive: High School Democrats of America (HSDA) HSDA is a youth-based political organization that serves as the entry point to Democratic politics for young activists nationwide. Across the country, the organization and its members work at the national, state and local levels to engage and mobilize members to be active in the political process. Visit: hsdems.org

Down the ballot local elections Nov. 8 Iowa Senate Brad Zaun

U.S. House

David Young

Limited government

Dismantle Obamacare

Remove Common Core

Fight for tax reform

Miyoko Hikiji Better access to education for youth Increase veterans’ access to health care

Jim Mowrer Paid family leave Revamp current Medicaid program

U.S. Senate

Chuck Grassley Restore limited government Minimize federal spending

Patty Judge Increase the minimum wage Expand renewable energy

The editorial is an opinion held by the editorial board of the newspaper. It needs a simple majority to pass. This month’s vote was 5-0.

August 2016

health

p.7

Cutting useless stress

Students with loaded schedules discuss their stress and how they cope with it

words & layout | Bryce Schulte Signed up for AP Chemistry, AP

researchers found that stress can physically alter

US History, AP Calculus AB and

the brain and create a difference in the ratios in the

AP Calculus BC, junior Prakhyath

brain of grey matter in the neurons and white mat-

Bujimalla is heading into the new

ter. Neurons are responsible for storing and pro-

school year with a lot on his plate.

cessing information, while white matter connects

AP classes are known for the

neurons to relay information.

incredible amount of dedica-

This means that chronic stress could create a

tion it takes for students to pass.

stronger connection between the hippocampus

For Bujimalla, who also took

and the amygdala than the hippocampus and

AP World History and AP Biol-

the prefrontal cortex. The amygdala controls the

ogy last year as a sophomore,

body’s fight-or-flight response and the hippocam-

learning how to deal with the stress took a semester

pus is responsible for emotions, memory and the

of ups and downs.

central nervous system. The prefrontal cortex con-

He struggled with procrastinating on his work,

trols our responses to different situations.

like many teens do. “I was all over the place,” Bu-

When under stress, this connection dispropor-

jimalla said. “It was my hardest academic year by

tion would make the person react with more fear

far. But the work is only intense if it all catches up

than practically and logic, creating more stress and

at one time.”

anxiety for the person to face.

The seemingly increasing amount of stress ado-

Bujimalla and Denny have learned to manage

lescents face has long been a topic of discussion.

their workloads and avoid the stress that comes

Many factors contribute to teens’ stress, ranging

with their schedules. Besides four AP classes, Bu-

from their school workload, time-draining extra-

jimalla is also involved in the Extended Learning

curriculars and several more, making the solution

Program (ELP), Mock Trial, Debate, Student Coun-

to the issue all that much harder to uncover. Junior

cil and Robotics.

Leah Denny is taking AP Chemistry, AP Literature and Composition and AP Psych.

He keeps a planner with all of his assignments’ due dates and creates daily lists of what he wants to

She also plays school volleyball in the fall, club

complete for each of his classes. “If I know I have a

volleyball in the winter, beach volleyball in the sum-

lab report due in two weeks, I’ll write my introduc-

mer and tennis in the spring, taking up much her

tion today, then my conclusion in three days, stuff

free time and supplying her brain with unwanted

like that,” Bujimalla said.

stress. In addition to those and year-round weight-

This method also works for Denny. She makes

lifting, she took AP World History her sophomore

schedules for each class to efficiently manage her

year. “I expected it to be more time-consuming but

time. Overwhelmed with a necessary dedication

it was more than I imagined,” Denny said. “I prob-

to her classes and sports, Denny said her social life

ably overloaded it.”

has become rather limited, but she makes sure to

The stress coming from taking difficult classes

include time in her schedule to be with friends.

like AP World History creates a fine line between

“We could all talk about [the homework] together,”

healthy and not. When it comes to stress, there are

Denny said.

two types: acute and chronic. Acute stress is healthy for humans, found in a study done by UC Berkeley’s Helen Wills Neuro-

ways to relieve chronic stress information from adaa.org

Exercise Physical activity produces endorphins, a chemical in the brain that reduces stress.

Laughter Laughing can relax tense muscles and it boosts the body’s immune system.

Make a list Becoming more efficient with time management can reduce levels of stress.

Bujimalla plays golf with his friends to relieve stress. He is anticipating a spot on the junior varsity golf team this coming year.

science Institute. They found that the chemicals

Making that time for social interaction is a good

created by stress like epinephrine, norepineph-

strategy against chronic stress. When around other

rine and cortisol can improve cognitive ability and

humans, the body releases oxytocin which decreas-

make the individual more alert.

es stress levels. In a society where teens are facing

But UC Berkeley found that chronic stress can

more and more stress, finding ways to manage it

have detrimental effects on an individual’s long-

can reduce the risk of a negative outcome. “Write it

term mental health. In another UC Berkeley study,

down, make a plan, stick to it,” Denny said.

Sleep Creating a set sleeping schedule can reduce the amount of stress a person has.

August 2016

backpage

p.8

What in the world?

compiled | Staff

Kilkenny, Ireland After cleaning out her purse, a woman found a winning lottery ticket worth $157,000 US dollars.

Taipei, Taiwan PokĂŠmon GO players stampeded through a street to catch a rare monster, disrupting traffic.

Quito, Ecuador Tourists on a whale watching boat witnessed an orca catapult a live sea turtle into the air nearby.

Current events quiz

When was the opening ceremony for the Rio Olympics?

How many Russian athletes were banned from the games?

answers found on jhsblackandwhite.com

Which team refused to move into the Olympic Village over safety concerns?

A August 3

A third

Australia

B August 4

Half

China

All athletes

Canada

August 5

Who was named the United Statesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; swim team captain?

How many sports were played in 2016?

Which country won the most medals?

Ryan Lochte

USA

B Michael Phelps

China

C Mark Spitz

France